A police officer in the division responsible for protecting high profile figures including the Prime Minister has been found dead at an apartment block in north London.

The body of the man, aged 43, was discovered with a gunshot wound and he was pronounced dead at 4.45pm on Tuesday after officers forced entry to the property in King’s Terrace, Camden.

He was attached to SO1, the Met’s Specialist Protection Command, which looks after persons including high ranking politicians and foreign dignitaries considered under threat of terrorist attack.

Shocked neighbours said they arrived home from work on Tuesday to see the front door of the converted mews house smashed in and homicide officers stationed outside.

James Wigley, who lives above the first floor flat where the incident took place, said: “He was my neighbour bit I didn’t really see him. I’d say I have seen the man twice in the two years I’ve been here.”

Another neighbour said: “I assumed there had been a burglary, I didn’t realise it was as serious as it is.”

A cleaner, who works in the building next door, said: “There were loads of police down here on Tuesday night, and people in white coats doing forensics. I asked what had happened but they said they weren’t allowed to give me any information. I think the man lived with his girlfriend.”

Scotland Yard would not confirm whether the gun used was a Met Police firearm.

The IPCC has been informed, but the investigation remains with the MPS Directorate of Professional Standards.

Officers from the MPS Directorate of Professional Standards are investigating.